We win 89-62 as we built up an insurmountable lead through 3 quarters and then placed it on cruise control in the fourth.
The most important thing is the win and obviously, protecting our key players from injury is paramount, but I wish our subs would be more aggressive. In ends like these, we might as well have a mercy rule: we'll spot you 15 points if we end the game early, because we are just going through the motions and it's not fun to watch. We are just holding the ball until the end and not even looking for a decent shot and we can see why Ruffridge is so dangerous, despite being only 5'3". Fortunately, we were able to contain her until the fourth when the outcome was no longer in doubt.
Anyway, back to the most important things. Four players scored in double digits and four more players had at least 8 points. Our 3-point shooting was once again amazing, as we hit 15 three pointers at a 47% clip. Anna had a spectacular game (13 pts on 5/6 shooting, 6 rebounds, 3 steals); it amazed me that she only picked up her second foul late in the game, considering the aggressive defense she plays. Jump contributed with 5/7 from long range and Kiana "cooled off" to just 4/8 from long range.
My only fear is what will happen if we have a cold shooting game, especially against a better defense. I know we have other options, but one of those options is Brink and she did not play as much as one would hope. She needs to shake the foul bugaboo; we need her out on the floor as much as possible.
One of the things I thought to look out for in this matchup was the turnovers and we only had 10 of them. Although most of them were unforced (which I hate), they came when we had a good lead and it wasn't really anything Missouri State was doing.
Missouri State's 32% shooting percentage improved late because of the 4th quarter, so we held them to under 30% for most of the game. Ruffridge was 7/9 for 18 points, but 14 of those points came in the fourth quarter when the game was decided. Franklin was 1/10 and Calip was 3/10. Jackson gave them 11 points off the bench on 4/11 shooting.
Tara will not like that Missouri State grabbed 18 offensive rebounds and were about even with us on the glass. They also got 22 FT opportunities to our 13 (and we only made 8 of them too).
Prechtel was great with the rebounds and jump shots, but she left a good 4 to 6 points on the court with missed putbacks. Jerome's shot was completely off, most of them were airballs. It would also be nice if we can get Lexie going again, she was 2/9 (1/5 from long range). We need her as another offensive option when defenses overload on Williams and Jones.
All in all, we took care of business handedly as we should, but as always, there's room for improvement.
The most important thing is the win and obviously, protecting our key players from injury is paramount, but I wish our subs would be more aggressive. In ends like these, we might as well have a mercy rule: we'll spot you 15 points if we end the game early, because we are just going through the motions and it's not fun to watch. We are just holding the ball until the end and not even looking for a decent shot and we can see why Ruffridge is so dangerous, despite being only 5'3". Fortunately, we were able to contain her until the fourth when the outcome was no longer in doubt.
Anyway, back to the most important things. Four players scored in double digits and four more players had at least 8 points. Our 3-point shooting was once again amazing, as we hit 15 three pointers at a 47% clip. Anna had a spectacular game (13 pts on 5/6 shooting, 6 rebounds, 3 steals); it amazed me that she only picked up her second foul late in the game, considering the aggressive defense she plays. Jump contributed with 5/7 from long range and Kiana "cooled off" to just 4/8 from long range.
My only fear is what will happen if we have a cold shooting game, especially against a better defense. I know we have other options, but one of those options is Brink and she did not play as much as one would hope. She needs to shake the foul bugaboo; we need her out on the floor as much as possible.
One of the things I thought to look out for in this matchup was the turnovers and we only had 10 of them. Although most of them were unforced (which I hate), they came when we had a good lead and it wasn't really anything Missouri State was doing.
Missouri State's 32% shooting percentage improved late because of the 4th quarter, so we held them to under 30% for most of the game. Ruffridge was 7/9 for 18 points, but 14 of those points came in the fourth quarter when the game was decided. Franklin was 1/10 and Calip was 3/10. Jackson gave them 11 points off the bench on 4/11 shooting.
Tara will not like that Missouri State grabbed 18 offensive rebounds and were about even with us on the glass. They also got 22 FT opportunities to our 13 (and we only made 8 of them too).
Prechtel was great with the rebounds and jump shots, but she left a good 4 to 6 points on the court with missed putbacks. Jerome's shot was completely off, most of them were airballs. It would also be nice if we can get Lexie going again, she was 2/9 (1/5 from long range). We need her as another offensive option when defenses overload on Williams and Jones.
All in all, we took care of business handedly as we should, but as always, there's room for improvement.